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Common VoIP Problems and How to Fix Them

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Common VoIP Problems and How to Fix Them

Common VoIP Problems and How to Fix Them

Are you experiencing quality degradation in your phone calls? Whether you’re using our Dash Business Phone Plans or some other provider’s service, common VoIP problems like latency and jitter can present a formidable challenge.

Luckily, these problems don’t always stem from the service provider itself. You can address the VoIP problems of choppy audio, delay, strange-sounding voice quality, and dropped calls by performing a few simple checks on your network’s configuration and hardware.

We do our best at VirtualPBX to create a phone system that works well under even the most adverse conditions. Our 24/7 customer service can help you address these issues any time you need us.

Quick Network Checks

Speed Test

Do you know the speed of your internet uploads and downloads? Our Business Phone System can only work well within a network that has enough bandwidth to support your calls.

The first step for any call troubleshooting is to perform a VoIP speed test. In only a few seconds, the test will provide you with helpful information like:

  • Download speed of your network (how quickly you can receive information)
  • Upload speed of your network (how quickly you can send information)
  • Network latency (the delay between a request for upload/download and when it actually occurs)

If your upload speed sits below a recommended kilobytes per second (kbps), you may need further network troubleshooting in a Network Health Check or Network Monitoring. In many cases, however, you can look to your personal device and browsing habits to make changes that will improve your call quality considerably. If your network speeds are list as several megabytes per second (Mbps) and your call volume is low, look to these following steps to remedy your issues.

Malware Removal

It may sound like a tangential fix, but clearing malware from your office computers may help your situation.

Computer viruses can drain system resources and eat into your available bandwidth. If you have an anti-virus program installed on your network’s computers, update their databases and run a thorough scan to help clear out any junk in the system.

VoIP problems like choppy audio occur typically because the resources needed to create a smooth conversation are interrupted by other services. Malware runs without your knowledge and may be using those resources when you need them most.

If your system is clean and virus scanners are up-to-date, look to your personal network usage as a possible culprit for where your resources are being consumed.

Personal Habits

Your own web browsing habits, or those of your coworkers, can also impact the quality of your calls and create VoIP problems. If you have multiple web browsers open and are downloading files, streaming videos, or allowing Javascript-heavy websites to run in the background, you could be hurting your chances for clear calls.

It isn’t necessary to turn your company culture upside down. Everyone in the office should just be mindful of the programs they have open all the time.

Close YouTube or stop Spotify before your next conference call. Make sure you aren’t downloading any large files during your next virtual meeting. Every little bit helps.

Offices usually connect their computers through a single network, so use of YouTube or Spotify by one person could affect calls handled by another person. Home networks, like when you’re working remotely, can also be affected by other family members browsing websites or watching videos. Just be mindful of all the internet-connected devices in your office or home and address those situations accordingly.

Advanced VoIP Problems Remediation

If your VoIP problems aren’t helped by simple fixes, it could be time for a Network Health Check or Network Monitoring.

VirtualPBX Service techs can help diagnose the cause of your network issues. They can provide context to the results of your network speed test. If necessary, they can recommend a Health Check or a period of Network Monitoring that can further assist you.

Our technicians can also recommend new hardware, such as a network router, or implement Quality of Service techniques that help your network better prioritize calls.

We’ll help you get to the bottom of the issue — no matter the cause.

If you’d like a deeper look into VoIP quality issues, check out our guide, What is VoIP?

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